The Brown Foundation Inc
Accepts applications
The Brown Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Houston, Texas. In tax year 2024 it gave $84.3 million in 222 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $11.0 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$84.3 million
- Number of grants222
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$11.0 million
- Assets$2.2 billion
- New grantees16%
Giving in 2024 was down from $118 million the year before.
16% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $118 million | 836 | $2.1 billion |
| 2024 | $84.3 million | 222 | $2.2 billion |
How to apply
| Contact | Ann Ziker The Brown Foundation Inc 2217 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019-5617 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (713) 523-6867, bfi@brownfoundation.org |
| What to submit | Grant applicants should refer to the foundation's website for information regarding the application process. i. https://www.brownfoundation.org/ ii. https://www.brownfoundation.org/about/#history iii. https://www.brownfoundation.org/grantmakingareas/#areas iv. https://www.brownfoundation.org/apply/ |
| Deadlines, restrictions | https://www.brownfoundation.org/grant-seekers/ |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Brown Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Texas.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 215 | $72.0 million |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $11.0 million |
| New Mexico | 2 | $875,000 |
| New York | 3 | $330,000 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $30,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Philanthropic Trust | Study Group and Matching Grant Programs | $11.0 million |
| Harris Health Strategic Fund | Investing in a Healthier Harris County | $10.0 million |
| Precinct4Forward | Burnett Bayland Park Improvements | $7.5 million |
| YES Prep Public Schools | The Power of YES | $7.0 million |
| Hermann Park Conservancy | 10-year plan (Phase I) | $6.0 million |
| Greater Houston Community Foundation | Houston Charter Seed Fund | $5.0 million |
| Houston Museum of Natural Science | Brown Hall of Entomology ($2,850,000) and Youth Education Support ($150,000) | $3.0 million |
| Coalition for the Homeless of HoustonHarris County | Achieving Equilibrium ($1,500,000) and Operating Support ($75,000) | $1.6 million |
| Thrive With Autism Foundation | Campaign of Hope | $1.6 million |
| DePelchin Children's Center | Community Based Care | $1.5 million |
| Houston Parks Board | Pasadena Vince Bayou Greenway Implementation | $1.5 million |
| Emancipation Park Conservancy | Emancipation Park Capital Campaign | $1.0 million |
| Good Reason Houston | HISD Fund | $1.0 million |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston | MFAH Operating Support ($900,000) and Ruth K Shartle Lecture Series ($29,500) | $929,500 |
| Children's Museum Inc | Strengthening Our Core: 0-PreK Exhibit, Programs, and Partnerships; Operating Support | $875,000 |
| Houston Ballet Foundation | Operating Support | $850,000 |
| Houston Grand Opera Association Inc | Operating Support | $850,000 |
| Houston Symphony Society | Operating Support | $850,000 |
| Menil Foundation Inc | Operating Support | $800,000 |
| The Westview School Inc | Capital Campaign ($750,000) and Operating Support ($50,000) | $800,000 |
| Annunciation Orthodox School | Light the Way Capital Campaign | $750,000 |
| Contemporary Arts Museum Houston | Rebirth in Action: Phase 2 | $750,000 |
| Georgia O'Keeffe Museum | The New O'Keeffe | $750,000 |
| Teach For America Houston | Operating Support | $650,000 |
| Alley Theatre | Operating Support | $500,000 |
| Armand Bayou Nature Center Inc | Middle Armand Bayou Protection Project (contingent) | $500,000 |
| Houston Classical Inc | The Next Chapter: A Campaign for Houston Classical's Future | $500,000 |
| San Antonio Museum of Art | Operating Support | $500,000 |
| University of Houston | Wilhelmina's Grove | $500,000 |
| DePelchin Children's Center | T3C Network Development | $450,000 |
| UT MD Anderson Cancer Center | Renewal and Expansion of The Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing | $415,000 |
| Communities In Schools of Houston Inc | Operating Support ($300K) and Mental Health programs ($100K) | $400,000 |
| The Imani School | The Imani School Capital Expansion | $350,000 |
| New Hope Housing Inc | New Hope Housing Ave C ($250,000) and 2024 Operations ($100,000) | $350,000 |
| BakerRipley | BakerRipley Community Centers | $250,000 |
| Contemporary Arts Museum Houston | Operating Support | $250,000 |
| EMERGE Fellowship | Operating Support | $250,000 |
| FotoFest Inc | FotoFest Biennial 2026: Four Decades (working title) | $250,000 |
| Friends of Pumpkin Park | Opening the Door to Childrens Dreams | $250,000 |
| Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas | Trauma and Grief Center | $250,000 |
Officers and trustees
- John O'Connor
- Isabel S Lummis
- Lousia S Sarofim
- Ann Ziker
- Jacklyn Tatge
- Ralph Abendshein
- Holbrook F Dorn
- William N Mathis
- Maria Mathis-Kruser
- Caroline Negley
- Ryan O'Connor
- Elisa Pye
- Christopher B Sarofim
Questions people ask
Does The Brown Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: https://www.brownfoundation.org/grant-seekers/.
How much does The Brown Foundation Inc give?
$84.3 million in tax year 2024, across 222 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs The Brown Foundation Inc?
Its 2024 filing lists John O'Connor (Chair/Trustee), Isabel S Lummis (Pres/Trustee), Lousia S Sarofim (Sec/Trustee) and Ann Ziker (ED/Asst Secretary) among 13 officers and trustees.
What does The Brown Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and arts and culture.